Page 109 of Untamed

“Rodi.” I stifle a giggle, repeating Zoya’s nickname for him just because I love the way his eyes narrow in on me.

“Call me that again, little queen.” He clucks his tongue at me. “Go, Ember. Rest. I’ll be up in a few minutes.”

But it’s hard to rest knowing Shawn is out there, that he’s never going to walk away from me, knowing I shunned him and knowing that I justmarried into the Bratva.

What does that even mean?

I consider taking the dress off, but in the end, keep it on because… well, if I’m honest, I wantRodionto take it off. So sue me if I still have book boyfriend fantasies I want to live out.

I lie in the bed, propped up on a variety of pillows, and pull out my phone. My heart rate races when I see I got another message from Shawn.

I put the phone down.

I pick it up again.

I stare at it as if it’s a lethal snake about to bite me.

I finally click the message to read it, despite everything in me screaming at me not to.

Shawn: you looked beautiful today. White always suited you. You look beautiful now. Careful not to wrinkle the dress, Ember

I sit up in bed, my heart racing. Footsteps sound outside the door. I try to remember everything about self-defense, but I haven’t practiced, and my mind is a blank of nerves and fear.

Oh god.

Oh god.

I look wildly around the room, but it’s just a simple guest room, well-appointed but simple. Pillows, blankets, and—my eyes come to rest on a bottle of champagne on the dresser.

I could break it. If I have to, I can use it as a weapon, and I could?—

The door handle jingles. Someone pounds at the door. I scream.

Chapter 24

EMBER

“It’s me!Ember. Open the door!”

Oh god. It’s Rodion. Of course it is as if Shawn would get past the wall of armed guards downstairs.

I choke back a sob as I open the door to find Rodion frantic and half-mad, his eyes blazing as he pushes past me into the room, a gun in hand.

“What are you—Rodion, you can’t?—”

“Where is he? You screamed. Your heart rate went through the fucking roof. What happened?”

I show him the texts. “He’s lying, baby. It’s a lie, I promise. He can’t be watching you.”

My voice is trembling. “But what if he is?”

Rodion’s gaze grows heated. “I hope he shows his fucking face.”

I should stop him. I should tell him no, that I can’t do this, not now, not when I’m tense and afraid and I?—

Ishould.

But the second he spins me toward the window, pressing me up against the glass like he can’t stand the space between us, I forget how to breathe.

---